Chicken Farms: The Uk's Surprising Number

Chicken farming in the UK is a highly controversial topic. Chickens are the most abused animals in the farming world, with around a billion chickens slaughtered for meat in the UK each year. In 2017, there were almost 800 intensive farms in the UK that would fulfil the US definition of a megafarm, with at least 789 still in operation as of 2018. These farms are highly profitable, with the poultry sector contributing some 11.3% of total agricultural outputs in 2006. However, animal welfare activists have raised concerns about the ethics of these farms, as chickens are kept in cramped conditions and transported long distances without food or water.

The number of chicken farms in the UK

Chicken farming is a significant industry in the UK, with poultry meat accounting for half of the meat consumed in the country. The British poultry sector covers chicken, geese, turkey, and duck, and the average Brit consumes 35kg of poultry meat each year. While there are no precise figures on the number of chicken farms in the UK, we can infer from data on intensive farms, mega-farms, and poultry production that the number is substantial.

In 2017, it was revealed that there were almost 800 intensive farms in the UK that met the US definition of a "megafarm," which is a unit housing at least 125,000 chickens raised for meat or 82,000 laying hens. These farms are considered controversial due to animal welfare concerns, as they involve keeping a large number of animals in a confined space, restricting their natural behaviours. According to data from 2017, the number of industrial-sized poultry and pig units requiring a permit has increased by 7% since then, with almost 90 more permitted intensive farms opening in England.

The UK is home to at least 789 mega-farms, and the majority of these are chicken farms. The largest poultry farms in the UK can house over a million birds, with the biggest two farms capable of holding 1.7 million and 1.4 million birds, respectively. Intensive chicken farms make up 86% of the total number of permit-holding farms in the UK. These farms are subject to regulations and require a permit that outlines the number of livestock permitted and the conditions that must be met for operation.

Chicken farming in the UK has faced criticism due to the poor conditions in which chickens are kept. Chickens farmed for meat or eggs suffer from cruel and unnatural practices, and around 94% of chickens are reared inside factory farms. They are bred to grow large quickly, leading to health issues, and they lack access to the outdoors and natural behaviours. The increase in chicken farming is attributed to factors such as post-Brexit uncertainties, increased demand, and decades of encouragement for factory farming.

In summary, while the exact number of chicken farms in the UK is unknown, it is evident that the country has a significant number of intensive and mega-farms supplying poultry meat and eggs to meet the high demand. However, animal welfare concerns and the impact on small farmers have sparked criticism and debates about the ethics of these farming practices.

Conditions for chickens on UK farms

Chickens farmed for meat in the UK are called broiler chickens. Over one billion chickens are slaughtered for meat in the UK each year, with over 90% of these chickens bred to grow too quickly. The UK is home to at least 789 mega-farms, or CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations). A Cafo must have at least 125,000 broiler chickens.

There are four main types of chicken production systems in the UK. The birds are reared in barns with access to food, water, and space to move around amongst the flock. The floors of these houses are covered in bedding material, such as wood shavings or chopped straw. The majority of sheds housing poultry have windows to allow natural daylight in. Every farmer has their own creative ways to entertain the hens and keep them occupied. This might be to hang pieces of string around with CDs attached for them to peck, give the birds toys to play with, or add bales of straw or shavings for the birds to stand on.

However, many chickens in the UK live in overcrowded, dimly lit, and barren conditions. They lack the space, daylight, and stimulation to move around freely, stay active, and carry out natural behaviours. This can cause frustration, boredom, and negative health effects. The air in their sheds can become highly polluted with ammonia from droppings, which can damage chickens' eyes and respiratory systems and cause painful burns.

Organic chickens have outdoor access for at least a third of their lives and are kept in smaller flock sizes than other production systems. They are slower-growing and live for at least 70 days before slaughter. Free-range chickens are provided with shade and shelter, including trees and bushes, which protect them from bad weather and reduce their fear of predators.

RSPCA standards provide chickens with more space than they get under the law or other standards. They also insist on providing chickens with enrichment, such as perches and objects to peck at, to provide stimulation and encourage activity. The Red Tractor logo certifies that over 95% of poultry meat produced in the UK meets strict standards of animal welfare, safety, hygiene, and traceability.

Intensive chicken farming in the UK

Intensive chicken farming, or what the US calls CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations), is a common practice in the UK. In fact, most intensive farms in the UK are poultry farms, making up 86% of the total number of permit-holding farms. These farms require a permit to operate, issued by the relevant environment agency, and there were 1,674 of them in the UK as of 2017. This number has likely increased since, with intensive farms in the UK rising by a quarter.

The UK has at least 789 mega-farms, with 575 of them being poultry farms. Seven of the ten largest poultry farms in the UK can house over a million birds, with the two biggest farms holding 1.7 million and 1.4 million birds respectively. These farms supply poultry to major supermarkets and fast-food chains, including Tesco, Sainsbury's, Co-op, M&S, Morrisons, Asda, McDonald's, and Nando's.

The majority of meat chickens in the UK are reared in large, closed buildings, where temperature, artificial lighting, ventilation, and food and water are carefully controlled. Wood shavings cover the floor, and around 25,000 birds are housed together within a building, with some buildings accommodating up to 50,000 birds. Most birds are reared at a stocking density of 38kg per square metre, which equates to approximately 19 birds per square metre. Light levels are often kept low to encourage the birds to eat more and move around less, maximising their growth rate.

There are concerns about the welfare of chickens in these intensive farming systems, with the RSPCA stating that the majority of meat chickens are reared to standards that are not good enough in terms of animal welfare. The fast growth rates, lack of space, inadequate lighting, and insufficient environmental enrichment are areas of concern. Additionally, intensive chicken farms often rely on imported feed, generate a lot of waste, and have negative impacts on the climate and biodiversity.

Chicken welfare standards in the UK

The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007, made under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, outlines comprehensive standards. It mandates that all animals, including poultry, must be cared for in ways that meet their welfare needs, avoiding unnecessary suffering. The regulations extend across all locations, ensuring consistent protection. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 also bans all mutilations of chickens, with certain exemptions outlined in the Mutilations (Permitted Procedures) (England) Regulations 2007.

The Assured Chicken Production (ACP) scheme is an industry-wide initiative that addresses critical issues in chicken production. It sets standards for food safety, bird health, welfare, and traceability, providing independent assessments to assure consumers. The National Farmers Union (NFU) represents farmers and growers in England and Wales, promoting socially responsible agriculture while supporting rural communities.

The Red Tractor logo is another assurance scheme, certifying that poultry meat has been produced according to rigorous standards in the UK. Over 95% of poultry meat in the UK carries this assurance. The scheme strictly monitors animal welfare, safety, hygiene, and traceability, removing non-compliant farmers.

RSPCA Assured standards are also recognised for their high welfare requirements. They mandate the use of naturally slower-growing, more active breeds, providing more space and stimulating environments. The RSPCA sets maximum transport times to reduce the risk of injury and health issues, aiming to improve overall chicken welfare.

In addition to these national standards, the EU Organic Regulations—Council Regulation (EC) No. 834/2007 and Commission Regulation (EC) No. 889/2008—provide guidelines for organic chicken production. This includes requirements for organic diets, smaller flock sizes, and access to outdoor ranges on organic land.

The future of chicken farming in the UK

Chicken farming in the UK is a growing industry, with poultry accounting for half of the meat consumed in the country. The average Brit consumes 35kg of poultry meat each year, and the demand for chicken is increasing. This has led to a rise in the number of intensive farms, with almost 90 more permitted intensive farms opening in England since 2017, and 20 more in Wales.

However, British farmers pride themselves on having some of the highest welfare standards in the world. Over 95% of poultry meat produced in the UK is Red Tractor assured, which means it meets strict standards for animal welfare, safety, hygiene, and traceability. The UK has also banned practices such as chlorinated chicken, which is used by some US poultry producers.

The increase in intensive farming is partly due to uncertainty over farming subsidies post-Brexit, as well as the dominance of a few large companies in the industry. The US poultry industry, for example, is vertically integrated, with big businesses controlling most of the production chain. This has led to concerns about the exploitation of contract farmers and the impact on food safety and animal welfare.

To improve the future of chicken farming in the UK, there needs to be a focus on ensuring high welfare standards and reducing the reliance on intensive farming methods. This could include supporting smaller, independent farmers and promoting organic or free-range chicken, which is kept in smaller flock sizes and given access to outdoor ranges. There also needs to be a continued commitment to high food safety and hygiene standards, such as the UK's 'farm-to-fork' approach, to ensure the health and safety of consumers.

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